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The Raven Society #1
The Writer and the Librarian
Three things I was sure of:
First, I was not a Hero.
Second, magic still existed.
And third, I was willing to walk through the Gates of Hell for my friends.
For years, Chloe has hidden from the shadows of her past, trying to escape its haunting. That is all about to change when she discovers a note taped to her front door inviting her to join The Raven Society.
Thousands of years ago, the Raven Society was created to protect, maintain, and preserve history deemed too dangerous for society. Their priceless secret? The Book of the Veiled. Its discovery could open Pandora's box of consequences, for whoever holds it can rewrite history and change the course of the future.
And it has been stolen.
The Raven Society's search for the book must survive the Gates of the Otherworld, betrayals, deception, and deadly motivations. But, in the end, they will realize that myths and fables aren't just bedtime stories but stories of forgotten lives that have been driven into the shadows.
How far into the darkness would you be willing to travel to discover the truth?
First, I was not a Hero.
Second, magic still existed.
And third, I was willing to walk through the Gates of Hell for my friends.
For years, Chloe has hidden from the shadows of her past, trying to escape its haunting. That is all about to change when she discovers a note taped to her front door inviting her to join The Raven Society.
Thousands of years ago, the Raven Society was created to protect, maintain, and preserve history deemed too dangerous for society. Their priceless secret? The Book of the Veiled. Its discovery could open Pandora's box of consequences, for whoever holds it can rewrite history and change the course of the future.
And it has been stolen.
The Raven Society's search for the book must survive the Gates of the Otherworld, betrayals, deception, and deadly motivations. But, in the end, they will realize that myths and fables aren't just bedtime stories but stories of forgotten lives that have been driven into the shadows.
How far into the darkness would you be willing to travel to discover the truth?
337 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2023
110 people are currently reading
3596 people want to read
About the author
R.L. Geer-Robbins
5 books47 followersAuthor of the Raven Society, R.L. Geer-Robbins, is a reader, veteran, blogger, and self-proclaimed coffee connoisseur.
Over the course of her 20+ years serving in the U.S. Army, she had the privilege of visiting distant locations that were once only a speck on a map.
It was during these journeys that she uncovered the influence of myths, folk tales, and oral histories. This ignited her passion for history and preservation, prompting her to pursue further education in the field.
Now, she writes to rekindle and unveil stories and truths that have long been forgotten by the pages of time.
Over the course of her 20+ years serving in the U.S. Army, she had the privilege of visiting distant locations that were once only a speck on a map.
It was during these journeys that she uncovered the influence of myths, folk tales, and oral histories. This ignited her passion for history and preservation, prompting her to pursue further education in the field.
Now, she writes to rekindle and unveil stories and truths that have long been forgotten by the pages of time.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
November 20, 2023
The concept of this is so cool. A secret society of Writers and Librarians that keep the stories of history accurate and the consequence of stories being forgotten. Even though there are scenes where characters just sit around and talk, I was completely enthralled with the concepts. There was a fantastic mix of characters and supernatural elements.
Unfortunately, there are so many easy-fix errors in this book. There are mix ups with character names, confusion of present and past tense, and reference errors (“Danger Will Roger, Danger!” is not the correct name or quote). These things are so easy to fix with a Google search, so it makes the book feel sloppy. Is it a copyright concern, and if so, leave it out. It sticks out worse when it's a blatant misquote. Or the series needs a strong editor.
The story was fun and creative, but the errors simply made the writing feel sloppy.
Unfortunately, there are so many easy-fix errors in this book. There are mix ups with character names, confusion of present and past tense, and reference errors (“Danger Will Roger, Danger!” is not the correct name or quote). These things are so easy to fix with a Google search, so it makes the book feel sloppy. Is it a copyright concern, and if so, leave it out. It sticks out worse when it's a blatant misquote. Or the series needs a strong editor.
The story was fun and creative, but the errors simply made the writing feel sloppy.
June 26, 2024
I should have figured I would have issues when I could *not* keep my focus during the first few pages.
DNF'd this one at page 112. The idea is a neat one, but the execution left a lot to be desired. The characters were all incredibly juvenile and Chloe especially so. I would have believed you if you told me this was supposed to be a YA book, but these are all ADULTS.... and yet none of them act like it aside from sometimes smoking cigarettes and drinking a lethal amount of coffee.
This book also does something that I find irksome in that it glamorizes the ever-loving crap out of writing and being an author. Given the author has only been writing since the pandemic, I understand the mindset. Writing IS fun. It is! But it's not this ephemeral, meme-ish sort that is presented to readers. After a few years of working hard at it, I think a lot of people mature from this mindset. It feels like the character received an understanding of writing purely via memes and not through the actual art of writing itself. Especially when it came to drinking coffee. It showed up in every single scene. In one day, I think the MC had over nine cups. I honestly lost count. She should have been bouncing off the walls at that point.
Really, I think the book and the writing needed a lot more time to mature and become refined.
DNF'd this one at page 112. The idea is a neat one, but the execution left a lot to be desired. The characters were all incredibly juvenile and Chloe especially so. I would have believed you if you told me this was supposed to be a YA book, but these are all ADULTS.... and yet none of them act like it aside from sometimes smoking cigarettes and drinking a lethal amount of coffee.
This book also does something that I find irksome in that it glamorizes the ever-loving crap out of writing and being an author. Given the author has only been writing since the pandemic, I understand the mindset. Writing IS fun. It is! But it's not this ephemeral, meme-ish sort that is presented to readers. After a few years of working hard at it, I think a lot of people mature from this mindset. It feels like the character received an understanding of writing purely via memes and not through the actual art of writing itself. Especially when it came to drinking coffee. It showed up in every single scene. In one day, I think the MC had over nine cups. I honestly lost count. She should have been bouncing off the walls at that point.
Really, I think the book and the writing needed a lot more time to mature and become refined.
January 9, 2024
Interesting fantasy
I was quickly pulled into the story about the Raven Society and enjoyed the different characters. When the story went into the Otherworld, in the last part of the book, I felt a little lost and confused about the direction of the story. It ended rather abruptly with the second book of the story picking up there. I am interested in how it will turn out, but will wait for reviews before investing time.
I was quickly pulled into the story about the Raven Society and enjoyed the different characters. When the story went into the Otherworld, in the last part of the book, I felt a little lost and confused about the direction of the story. It ended rather abruptly with the second book of the story picking up there. I am interested in how it will turn out, but will wait for reviews before investing time.
September 7, 2024
I like the premise of this book. In no way do I think the world’s collective legends and mythologies exist in a vacuum, so to have an author weave differing (albeit primarily European/Western) religions into an interconnected fabric is a really neat idea. To build a unique storyline and add new folklore to existing stories is even better. However, that’s about where the coolness factor ends for me.
The nails in the proverbial coffin were the characters. I could not get into ANY of them. My biggest gripe is with Chloe, our narrator/protagonist. She is shallow, spiteful, judgy, childish, and petulant, has a REALLY unhealthy fixation with coffee (I’m pretty sure she should’ve died at some point from a caffeine overdose), and is ostensibly middle-aged, but reads as an early 20s character. That might even be a tad generous.
The other characters are mercurial at best, playing hot and cold with one another to force drama where there isn’t any. Worse, though, is the surface-level character development that gives us nothing about the characters except what is convenient to whatever the plot is supposed to be. Conversation is unnatural, banter is uncomfortable and unfunny, and any romantic entanglements that have been deemed necessary to the storyline are so contrived that I had to try to care (note: I don’t).
Great idea, poor execution. I felt generous enough to round up to 2 stars #justiceforravens
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
The nails in the proverbial coffin were the characters. I could not get into ANY of them. My biggest gripe is with Chloe, our narrator/protagonist. She is shallow, spiteful, judgy, childish, and petulant, has a REALLY unhealthy fixation with coffee (I’m pretty sure she should’ve died at some point from a caffeine overdose), and is ostensibly middle-aged, but reads as an early 20s character. That might even be a tad generous.
The other characters are mercurial at best, playing hot and cold with one another to force drama where there isn’t any. Worse, though, is the surface-level character development that gives us nothing about the characters except what is convenient to whatever the plot is supposed to be. Conversation is unnatural, banter is uncomfortable and unfunny, and any romantic entanglements that have been deemed necessary to the storyline are so contrived that I had to try to care (note: I don’t).
Great idea, poor execution. I felt generous enough to round up to 2 stars #justiceforravens
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
January 1, 2024
I hate to start out my new year reviews with a less than stellar, fell in love with and am so happy I read it book but I will say it was probably my own fault because I read “secret society” and “magic” and immediately entered the giveaway.
I couldn’t relax while reading this book. I felt as though I needed to be hyper-aware of everything that I was reading and had already read. Not a relaxed way to read, at least, not for me. So much mythology from so many sources became bedlam for this reader.
Now having said that, I did have moments that I enjoyed as I read but I was soon lead back in the abyss of too much accumulated ancient folklore and the nature of gods and goddesses, witches, shape shifters and assorted magical creatures. Oh, and for good measure let’s toss in no one seems to know who their parents really were. Towards the end of the story I was feeling overwhelmed and could not wait to finish it.
Now, on the plus side of this read I did learn more of the mythology of the Gods and Goddesses which at one time, when I was perhaps eleven or twelve, I was curious about whether they existed or not and I did read a couple of books back then of which, of course, I now remember nothing since I am no longer twelve.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
I couldn’t relax while reading this book. I felt as though I needed to be hyper-aware of everything that I was reading and had already read. Not a relaxed way to read, at least, not for me. So much mythology from so many sources became bedlam for this reader.
Now having said that, I did have moments that I enjoyed as I read but I was soon lead back in the abyss of too much accumulated ancient folklore and the nature of gods and goddesses, witches, shape shifters and assorted magical creatures. Oh, and for good measure let’s toss in no one seems to know who their parents really were. Towards the end of the story I was feeling overwhelmed and could not wait to finish it.
Now, on the plus side of this read I did learn more of the mythology of the Gods and Goddesses which at one time, when I was perhaps eleven or twelve, I was curious about whether they existed or not and I did read a couple of books back then of which, of course, I now remember nothing since I am no longer twelve.
I won this book in a First Reads giveaway.
December 24, 2023
I received a giveaway copy of this book through Goodreads. It was a Kindle version and needed some editing. The chapters were all mixed up in the middle, and some character names got mixed up near the end.
Besides the publishing errors, the story itself was okay. I enjoyed the plot and the connection between Chloe and Eidolon. However, the story itself needed more. I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the characters, and the story seemed too slow and too fast at the same time. The worst part is how it ended. It just didn't. It's clearly one book split into two. There was no resolution of anything, just a few explanations that set up more problems for the next book.
I would love to see where Chloe and Eidolon end up, but I don't think it's worth reading another book for it. 3/5 stars.
Besides the publishing errors, the story itself was okay. I enjoyed the plot and the connection between Chloe and Eidolon. However, the story itself needed more. I didn't feel particularly connected to any of the characters, and the story seemed too slow and too fast at the same time. The worst part is how it ended. It just didn't. It's clearly one book split into two. There was no resolution of anything, just a few explanations that set up more problems for the next book.
I would love to see where Chloe and Eidolon end up, but I don't think it's worth reading another book for it. 3/5 stars.
February 23, 2023
“My dear, the Raven Society is the elite literature group of the ages. Individual members have made a significant contribution to the writing world. A remarkable honor indeed! One of the most appealing features is that every new member assumes the role of one of their favorite literary personalities....”
To delve into the mind of the author, R. L. Geer-Robbins, is to immerse yourself in a bookish dream. Without a doubt, from the opening lines of the prologue, a reader spirals into a fantastical world of make-believe, sprinkled with a slight seasoning of historical references throughout. This book definitely leans more towards the fantasy side of storytelling rather than historical, but with that being said, the inclusion of characters from Le Morte d'Arthur by Tennyson, and some of the legendary mythological creatures of old (vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, etc.) this narrative proved to be quite intriguing.
The author's main character, Chloe Pairtree, is a writer and blogger, herself, who lives, eats, and breathes her writing life. At the outset of the story, when she receives a mysterious invitation from a secret club known as the Raven Society requesting her presence, she indulges her curiosity and accepts. The moment she enters the location of the meeting, she is overwhelmed by the pure inundating literary experience exuding not only from the rooms but from the members, themselves. She is electrified and magnetized to one particular member, a handsome brooding man named Lucas who chose the name Eidolon as his Society persona.
The aroma of coffee, paper, ink, and apple wood filled the room; it was the library of dreams, a sanctuary for authors and readers. Several paintings on the ceiling depict the gods looking down at the inhabitants as if waiting for another miracle. I immediately fell in love.
After lengthy introductions where everyone tells their own story, it is revealed to Chloe the real reason for her inclusion into the Society, and all of the members start revealing their true identities. Eidolon is known as the Librarian, the keeper of the Books of the Veiled, and his grandmother, Moll, as a former Writer, the one who writes down the histories and stories which keep characters alive throughout history. Yet, Moll is aging and a new Writer is required, one who can 'jump' into the past, into dreams, and help find three of the missing books before the world of mortals or of the Supernaturals is destroyed by none other than Lilith and Vivian of ancient Arthurian lore.
Chloe deems herself rather ordinary, a writer of average writing ability, yet she begins to understand that her part in this tale is more than she ever expected. While her attachment to Eidolon grows, and the more she dives into her own dreams and into the past in search of the books, she discovers secrets about many of the other members, and about Eidolon's heritage and ancestry. And how she fits into the narrative!
“There is a stare a Writer gets when they are about to jump. It's like a feeling of euphoria that takes over them. Their eyes grow dim and then white, their body stiffens, and suddenly, they are gone – mentally.”
For the most part, the story line is a 'curiouser and curiouser' tale, one which makes the reader turn the pages to the end, but it is also one which begs for a bit more background about the main character. A thread of uncertainty runs throughout the story, one which hints at something secretive about Chloe, perhaps about her past or some loss or a tragedy, yet her story or her voice just misses fully engaging a reader, never fully explaining the significance of the smell of white heather or her own ancestry as the daughter of … well, no spoilers here. It is quite obvious of the author's desire to turn this into a 'hero's journey' much like Lord of the Rings, yet the world-building never reaches that grandiose goal. However, there are moments of promising prose and scene settings which will delight readers, especially readers who are writers, themselves. As a fan of Arthurian legends, this reviewer absorbed this slant on Taliesin's life, and appreciated the immense amount of research and reading the author did on the legends, weaving them into a sort of time-traveling, dream-like quality. Chloe encounters so many mythological characters, such as Taliesin, Vivian, Arawn, and others.
As a note for other readers, the book is heavy on characters, there is a lot of them, both real and fantasy, and a character list at the beginning or end might do well for a reader to sort through the 'who's who' in the narrative, especially for those readers not familiar with some of the personas mentioned throughout the book. Also, perhaps an 'Author's Notes' which reveal some of the legends on which this book is based. The author sets the stage for the continuation of the series by the end of the book, and again, the reader is left with 'baited breath' as Chloe continues her journey in search of the missing books. For readers who enjoy falling down rabbit holes, this is a head-first plunge and one which will pull a reader onward into the successive books to come.
“Did he say anything else?” Eidolon asked, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand. I hesitated, not sure what to say. I can tell him and Aelle the truth – their parents are no better than bitter ex-lovers fighting over who gets the dog in divorce court, or simply ignore it and pretend we are about to embark on a Lord of the Rings mission to the evil lair. Neither one sounded like an marvelous time to me, so I opted for option three.
*****
“The Writer and the Librarian” by R. L. Geer-Robbins receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
To delve into the mind of the author, R. L. Geer-Robbins, is to immerse yourself in a bookish dream. Without a doubt, from the opening lines of the prologue, a reader spirals into a fantastical world of make-believe, sprinkled with a slight seasoning of historical references throughout. This book definitely leans more towards the fantasy side of storytelling rather than historical, but with that being said, the inclusion of characters from Le Morte d'Arthur by Tennyson, and some of the legendary mythological creatures of old (vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters, witches, etc.) this narrative proved to be quite intriguing.
The author's main character, Chloe Pairtree, is a writer and blogger, herself, who lives, eats, and breathes her writing life. At the outset of the story, when she receives a mysterious invitation from a secret club known as the Raven Society requesting her presence, she indulges her curiosity and accepts. The moment she enters the location of the meeting, she is overwhelmed by the pure inundating literary experience exuding not only from the rooms but from the members, themselves. She is electrified and magnetized to one particular member, a handsome brooding man named Lucas who chose the name Eidolon as his Society persona.
The aroma of coffee, paper, ink, and apple wood filled the room; it was the library of dreams, a sanctuary for authors and readers. Several paintings on the ceiling depict the gods looking down at the inhabitants as if waiting for another miracle. I immediately fell in love.
After lengthy introductions where everyone tells their own story, it is revealed to Chloe the real reason for her inclusion into the Society, and all of the members start revealing their true identities. Eidolon is known as the Librarian, the keeper of the Books of the Veiled, and his grandmother, Moll, as a former Writer, the one who writes down the histories and stories which keep characters alive throughout history. Yet, Moll is aging and a new Writer is required, one who can 'jump' into the past, into dreams, and help find three of the missing books before the world of mortals or of the Supernaturals is destroyed by none other than Lilith and Vivian of ancient Arthurian lore.
Chloe deems herself rather ordinary, a writer of average writing ability, yet she begins to understand that her part in this tale is more than she ever expected. While her attachment to Eidolon grows, and the more she dives into her own dreams and into the past in search of the books, she discovers secrets about many of the other members, and about Eidolon's heritage and ancestry. And how she fits into the narrative!
“There is a stare a Writer gets when they are about to jump. It's like a feeling of euphoria that takes over them. Their eyes grow dim and then white, their body stiffens, and suddenly, they are gone – mentally.”
For the most part, the story line is a 'curiouser and curiouser' tale, one which makes the reader turn the pages to the end, but it is also one which begs for a bit more background about the main character. A thread of uncertainty runs throughout the story, one which hints at something secretive about Chloe, perhaps about her past or some loss or a tragedy, yet her story or her voice just misses fully engaging a reader, never fully explaining the significance of the smell of white heather or her own ancestry as the daughter of … well, no spoilers here. It is quite obvious of the author's desire to turn this into a 'hero's journey' much like Lord of the Rings, yet the world-building never reaches that grandiose goal. However, there are moments of promising prose and scene settings which will delight readers, especially readers who are writers, themselves. As a fan of Arthurian legends, this reviewer absorbed this slant on Taliesin's life, and appreciated the immense amount of research and reading the author did on the legends, weaving them into a sort of time-traveling, dream-like quality. Chloe encounters so many mythological characters, such as Taliesin, Vivian, Arawn, and others.
As a note for other readers, the book is heavy on characters, there is a lot of them, both real and fantasy, and a character list at the beginning or end might do well for a reader to sort through the 'who's who' in the narrative, especially for those readers not familiar with some of the personas mentioned throughout the book. Also, perhaps an 'Author's Notes' which reveal some of the legends on which this book is based. The author sets the stage for the continuation of the series by the end of the book, and again, the reader is left with 'baited breath' as Chloe continues her journey in search of the missing books. For readers who enjoy falling down rabbit holes, this is a head-first plunge and one which will pull a reader onward into the successive books to come.
“Did he say anything else?” Eidolon asked, bringing the conversation back to the matter at hand. I hesitated, not sure what to say. I can tell him and Aelle the truth – their parents are no better than bitter ex-lovers fighting over who gets the dog in divorce court, or simply ignore it and pretend we are about to embark on a Lord of the Rings mission to the evil lair. Neither one sounded like an marvelous time to me, so I opted for option three.
*****
“The Writer and the Librarian” by R. L. Geer-Robbins receives four stars from The Historical Fiction Company
August 17, 2023
This book is a delight for writers, romantics, and coffee enthusiasts. It's also perfect for fans of Western myths, especially Celtic legends, and those who love sharing stories around a campfire.
Chloe, our relatable middle-aged protagonist, brings a fresh perspective to the adventure genre. The fusion of library and secret society concepts feels unique, and her character resonates, particularly with fellow writers.
Amid the unfolding story, romantic elements are seamlessly integrated. The embedded stories add depth.
As the tale progresses, we're invested in Chloe's journey, eagerly awaiting the next installment.
Chloe, our relatable middle-aged protagonist, brings a fresh perspective to the adventure genre. The fusion of library and secret society concepts feels unique, and her character resonates, particularly with fellow writers.
Amid the unfolding story, romantic elements are seamlessly integrated. The embedded stories add depth.
As the tale progresses, we're invested in Chloe's journey, eagerly awaiting the next installment.
November 14, 2023
This is actually 3.5 that would have been a 4 but for the editorial mishaps that were distracting. Aside from that, I loved this story, the concept, the characters...loved, loved, loved it all. It just would have been a smoother ride with a tiny bit more consistency from page to page. (;0
Looking forward to the next release of The Raven Society. And would love to share coffee and a chat with this very down-to-earth and charming author!
Looking forward to the next release of The Raven Society. And would love to share coffee and a chat with this very down-to-earth and charming author!
December 25, 2023
I did enjoy this book. The take that was done on retelling some old mythologies was awesome. I look forward to reading book two at a later date.
However, there are some issues with formatting. I am not sure if it's because of the way the Kindle version is formatted, but a couple of chapters seem to have pages that repeat that made the reading a bit jarring. There also are some continuity issues - characters that aren't on that particular leg of the journey speak instead of the ones who are present.
Overall though, it was a good read.
However, there are some issues with formatting. I am not sure if it's because of the way the Kindle version is formatted, but a couple of chapters seem to have pages that repeat that made the reading a bit jarring. There also are some continuity issues - characters that aren't on that particular leg of the journey speak instead of the ones who are present.
Overall though, it was a good read.
January 7, 2024
Good story, bad typos
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and all the nods to myths and legends... but the typos were so agitating. They kept throwing me out of the story. One of the eye twitching ones I can remember is spelling a characters name as Molly instead of Moll; this same character has a paragraph long introduction of "my name is Moll, NOT Molly"...
I really enjoyed the premise of this book and all the nods to myths and legends... but the typos were so agitating. They kept throwing me out of the story. One of the eye twitching ones I can remember is spelling a characters name as Molly instead of Moll; this same character has a paragraph long introduction of "my name is Moll, NOT Molly"...
July 2, 2025
Great story but needs editing
I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. The characters and story were compelling. The only disappointment was the text has many typos, and the names of some characters were mixed up so I'd lose the thread and have to go back, reread, then figure out which character was supposed to be there. With a little editing love I would give it 5 stars.
I loved this book and I couldn't put it down. The characters and story were compelling. The only disappointment was the text has many typos, and the names of some characters were mixed up so I'd lose the thread and have to go back, reread, then figure out which character was supposed to be there. With a little editing love I would give it 5 stars.
November 26, 2023
Not a history buff but this book makes me want to look into myths and legends! I was disappointed when suddenly the book was over! There was an editing issue stating Max jumped between Bree and Sydney when he wasn’t even with them. (Page 352 kindle version)
March 7, 2024
It's well written, but highly unsatisfying. And there are typos - so many typos! I thought it was me (it usually is because I have ADHD), but not this time. I hope the second book doesn't have any typos. Right now, I don't think I'll be reading the other books in the series.
April 13, 2024
This was a journey, and I want more.
January 28, 2025
This title was selected for IngramSpark's Indie Title Discovery Spotlight 2025!
Such an immersive and imaginative book - can't wait to read the next books in The Raven Society series!
Such an immersive and imaginative book - can't wait to read the next books in The Raven Society series!
November 6, 2025
I wanted to like this book, and it had such potential! The premise is intriguing, the characters are interesting... but the writing was really rough, like it needed a pass or two by an editor.
July 13, 2023
I greatly enjoyed this book. The characters were so compelling I felt that I knew them already. The story was wonderful and I just started reading the sequel. Definitely recommend!
July 11, 2023
When Chloe is asked to join an elite writers group, she gets more than she bargained for. This novel is full of twists and surprises.
May 3, 2023
The Writer and the Librarian by R. L. Geer-Robbins is a captivating fiction work that masterfully blends fantasy and realism elements. This book is an intriguing mystery imbued with romance, myth, and legend, making it a must-read for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale. The story follows Chloe Pairtree, an ordinary writer who finds herself drawn into a centuries-old secret society known as the Raven Society. The society's mission is to safeguard a magical book called the Book of the Veiled, which has the power to rewrite history and shape the future. When the book is stolen, Chloe is recruited to help recover it, thrusting her into a world of danger and intrigue.
Although the novel has an extensive cast of characters, the author takes the time to introduce each of them, allowing readers to become fully immersed in their stories. This may make the initial stages of the book feel slow, but it pays off by giving readers a deeper understanding of the individuals and their motivations. Chloe is the exception to this, as the story follows her as she falls in love with the enigmatic Lucas. Despite this, we are only given hints of her troubled past, and the story arc that begins in this book remains unresolved at the end. However, Geer-Robbins sets the stage for future installments in the series, leaving readers eager for more. The characters are well-drawn, and the dialogue feels natural. The author uses the first-person point of view to give Chloe a witty and engaging voice, which readers are sure to appreciate.
The Writer and the Librarian is an entertaining work of Dark Fantasy and transports readers to an intriguing and imaginative world. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with a touch of magic.
Although the novel has an extensive cast of characters, the author takes the time to introduce each of them, allowing readers to become fully immersed in their stories. This may make the initial stages of the book feel slow, but it pays off by giving readers a deeper understanding of the individuals and their motivations. Chloe is the exception to this, as the story follows her as she falls in love with the enigmatic Lucas. Despite this, we are only given hints of her troubled past, and the story arc that begins in this book remains unresolved at the end. However, Geer-Robbins sets the stage for future installments in the series, leaving readers eager for more. The characters are well-drawn, and the dialogue feels natural. The author uses the first-person point of view to give Chloe a witty and engaging voice, which readers are sure to appreciate.
The Writer and the Librarian is an entertaining work of Dark Fantasy and transports readers to an intriguing and imaginative world. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an engaging mystery with a touch of magic.
June 28, 2023
This is a book for writers, romantics, and, yes, coffee lovers. It is a book for connoisseurs of (so far) mostly Western myths, especially the Celtic legendarium. And it is a book for those who love to share stories around a campfire.
I'm fond of older protagonists in fantasy tales - not that I don't enjoy a good coming of age story but the genre is saturated with them. Chloe is a believable unwitting and reluctant middle-aged hero, never quite sure what she's getting into and often a hair's breadth from giving the whole thing up. I liked the fresh treatment of the library and secret society concepts, and can definitely relate to Chloe as a writer if not a coffee addict! I'm not a romance reader per se, but the revealed and developing relationships seemed natural to me. The telling of stories is a natural part of the tale - perhaps echoes of Tolkien there - and I looked forward to each one, and the light they shed on the plot. I'm cheering for Chloe and her companions and l look forward to the next book in the series!
Final note: I wavered between four and five stars. I leaned towards five for the content, and went with that in the end, but there were a handful of tense changes and name inconsistencies that threw me off occasionally. I would have chosen four and a half stars if I could.
I'm fond of older protagonists in fantasy tales - not that I don't enjoy a good coming of age story but the genre is saturated with them. Chloe is a believable unwitting and reluctant middle-aged hero, never quite sure what she's getting into and often a hair's breadth from giving the whole thing up. I liked the fresh treatment of the library and secret society concepts, and can definitely relate to Chloe as a writer if not a coffee addict! I'm not a romance reader per se, but the revealed and developing relationships seemed natural to me. The telling of stories is a natural part of the tale - perhaps echoes of Tolkien there - and I looked forward to each one, and the light they shed on the plot. I'm cheering for Chloe and her companions and l look forward to the next book in the series!
Final note: I wavered between four and five stars. I leaned towards five for the content, and went with that in the end, but there were a handful of tense changes and name inconsistencies that threw me off occasionally. I would have chosen four and a half stars if I could.
January 25, 2023
I really loved the concept of this book. Secret societies are always fun, doubly so when they are about literature. The mythological angles were also very cool, and naturally, I loved all the books. I struggled a bit more with really getting into the story. It felt like there was a lot of talking and storytelling, which went with the story, but also just slowed a lot of things down. Not that I need or want an explosion on every page, but a bit more doing mixed in with the telling would have helped keep my interest. The romance also felt very fast and a bit underdeveloped. This is very much a me-thing, and I know others feel differently, but I have a real tough time with romantic subplots that I don't feel show enough of the characters getting to know one another before they decide they're in love. Obviously, "enough" varies from person to person, so this was just my preference.
I ultimately went with 3 stars because I kind of lost some steam in the second half. But there was enough really cool stuff going on in here that 3 didn't feel completely accurate. So my final rating is 3.5, and I again wish that this was an option for actual ratings on here. Ah well.
I ultimately went with 3 stars because I kind of lost some steam in the second half. But there was enough really cool stuff going on in here that 3 didn't feel completely accurate. So my final rating is 3.5, and I again wish that this was an option for actual ratings on here. Ah well.
March 26, 2023
Pros: Lots of mystery and magic. Loved that many mythical beings who have acquired a negative image as human history is rewritten, were presented in a more open format. Kudos to the author for her creation
Cons: I could not keep my eyes from rolling at the protagonist and her sexual attraction to nearly every male she encountered. Did it make her quirky and the one you would least suspect of being magical? Yes. Doesn’t improve my opinion of the character.
Biggest problem for me is that while I have eagerly bought up every book in other series when I find stories with novelty, credibility, and great plot lines, those books usually stand alone. The crisis is resolved at the end of each book and I am left so in love with the characters and their world that I want to escape into the next adventure.
This book doesn’t end its story arc. It stops mid-way in the story plot so that you are either forced to buy the next book or remained pissed that you are left hanging. My rating was higher before I hit the last page. That left me pissed and down to two stars. I’m being generous to give it three. Just be prepared to buy more books.
Cons: I could not keep my eyes from rolling at the protagonist and her sexual attraction to nearly every male she encountered. Did it make her quirky and the one you would least suspect of being magical? Yes. Doesn’t improve my opinion of the character.
Biggest problem for me is that while I have eagerly bought up every book in other series when I find stories with novelty, credibility, and great plot lines, those books usually stand alone. The crisis is resolved at the end of each book and I am left so in love with the characters and their world that I want to escape into the next adventure.
This book doesn’t end its story arc. It stops mid-way in the story plot so that you are either forced to buy the next book or remained pissed that you are left hanging. My rating was higher before I hit the last page. That left me pissed and down to two stars. I’m being generous to give it three. Just be prepared to buy more books.
January 28, 2024
I enjoyed the concept of the book with history and magical elements, and a FMC that was 40 and not 20. The author takes time creating the scene that you can easily envision, like the house they meet in as well as traveling back through time. There are multiple main characters so you have to remember who they are, with a lot of legends, mythology, and folklore interwoven into the story. I noticed it had some formatting errors that pulled you out of the story at times, but that’s how it goes with indie authors having to do things themselves and why supporting them is so important. If you enjoy history, mythology, folklore, and puzzles this book is for you.
January 27, 2023
Fantasy at it best!
For those that love mystical beings and the fantastical, I highly recommend this book. I was sucked into the drama of books, dreams, magic and adventure. The descriptions of people and places took me to another world, one where supernatural beings were real. I was sad the book ended but am looking forward to the next installment. Thanks Rose for taking me on a journey.
For those that love mystical beings and the fantastical, I highly recommend this book. I was sucked into the drama of books, dreams, magic and adventure. The descriptions of people and places took me to another world, one where supernatural beings were real. I was sad the book ended but am looking forward to the next installment. Thanks Rose for taking me on a journey.
March 16, 2023
A cleverly told story
The Writer and the Librarian is one of the most well-written books I have read in a long while. The interactions and dialog between the characters are intelligent, witty, and so realistic that it is hard not to feel like it is an autobiography instead of a work of fiction! The storyline is creative and unique. I challenge anyone to read the first chapter and not want to plop down and finish it entirely in one sitting.
The Writer and the Librarian is one of the most well-written books I have read in a long while. The interactions and dialog between the characters are intelligent, witty, and so realistic that it is hard not to feel like it is an autobiography instead of a work of fiction! The storyline is creative and unique. I challenge anyone to read the first chapter and not want to plop down and finish it entirely in one sitting.
April 1, 2023
Wonderful Storytelling
I enjoyed this book very much; the many varied characters, plot twists, and descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of the locations in the story. Very entertaining!
I enjoyed this book very much; the many varied characters, plot twists, and descriptions of the sights, sounds and smells of the locations in the story. Very entertaining!
January 27, 2023
Grab your wine ( or coffee) this is an adult fantasy that will take you on a ride with mythical creatures. if you like fantasy then this is a novel worth trying out!!
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